Intelligence and excellence

[Toddskins]

I just finished writing a long post, and it got lost by error. Disappointed, I went browsing the internet. Discovered the following, which in many ways, summarizes my lost post.

- - - - - -

There is a columnist who writes for the Asia Times under the Nom de Plume of Spengler. He is, quite simply, brilliant. He always has unique insights on religion, philosophy, culture, science, world events, politics, and economics. I've followed his work on and off for years, and longed to have someone of his caliber write for a US paper. The New York Times (which I read faithfully, though I often have to hold my nose to do it) could benefit from someone of Spengler's capabilities. He's not anti-American. He's a realist. He sees our good and bad points.


Recently he wrote


"America outspends China on defense by a margin of more than six to one, the Pentagon estimates. In another strategic dimension, though, China already holds a six-to-one advantage over the United States. Thirty-six million Chinese children study piano today, compared to only 6 million in the United States. The numbers understate the difference, for musical study in China is more demanding. "It must be a conspiracy. Chinese parents are selling plasma-screen TVs to America, and saving their wages to buy their kids pianos - making American kids stupider and Chinese kids smarter. Watch out, Americans - a generation from now, your kid is going to fetch coffee for a Chinese boss. That is a bit of an exaggeration, of course - some of the bosses will be Indian. Americans really, really don't have a clue what is coming down the pike. The present shift in intellectual capital in favor of the East has no precedent in world history. "The world's largest country is well along the way to forming an intellectual elite on a scale that the world has never seen, and against which nothing in today's world - surely not the inbred products of the Ivy League puppy mills - can compete. Few of its piano students will earn a living at the keyboard, to be sure, but many of the 36 million will become much better scientists, engineers, physicians, businessmen and military officers.”

[Frankie Rage]

36 million kids playing "chopsticks!"...

What a cacophony!

Seriously though, it might be best for the US (and rest of the World?) if we did get a few foriegners in US boardrooms, especially in the Finance Sector!

What do you reckon?

[Whatmysay]

After reading the article you mention on-line I think it is pretty poor journalism; narrative driven editorial, large on rhetoric and low on real facts.

There are studies that show a correlations (not causations) between musical ability and intelligence, particularly math. There are some, not consistently substantiated, studies that show exposure to (hearing, learning, playing) classical music or jazz may stimulate differences in brain architecture, may be intelligence.

The article merely states these studies, tells us that there is a current mania in China (actually only in the new middle class in Beijing and Shanghai) for piano tuition and tells us the US should be scared because this will mean the piano playing hoards of China will now be able to innovate and imitate.

This is bad science and poor journalism. Also 10 years too late.

China already owns half of the US debt. China doesn’t need a generation of innovate it already has a generation of consumers. Its government just decided after years of worrying about stimulating exports they are now going to focus their economic policies on developing an internal economy – the biggest x5 in the world.

Lets hope they develop a taste for western music produced by members of HRFs.

I’ve been in China 11 years and from my point of view it was ‘last drinks’ for the US at least 6 years ago, only no one told you.

Sorry classical music had nothing to do with it.

[Hakea]

A situation where China develops an intellectual elite that leads the rest of the world in sophistication really shouldn't seem that odd. It's only history repeating itself. Their cycle is just back on an upswing again. My brother lived in Hong Kong for many years, flying for Cathay Pacific, and would probably broadly concur with Whatmysay's assessment.

However, I have resolved to pedal harder in general and keep beavering away at the piano in particular..... a keyboard led rearguard action may just see me through...

[mikeh]

I think in general, Asia and Europe have long held a better appreciation for the arts than the USA. In part because the USA is such a young nation and has not developed the years of culture that older more established nations have - and in part because the rather rapid increase of wealth in such a young nation has led to a "me first" society more interested in buying things rather than learning things.

However, the dumbing down of the USA is something that has been growing significantly worse for a couple of decades - and our Government has failed to properly fund and develop the educational sytems....with the removal of the arts in schools one of many shortcomings.

Added to the weakness of the public education system - is the fact that many parents in the USA lack desire or motivation to prepare children for an increasingly competitive world economy and the end result is a nation in decline. In fact, statistics suggest many (most???) citizens of the USA have very little knowlege or understanding of other nations......nor do they care to.

Piano lessons alone may not be what may make China a stronger nation than the USA - but it is one of many factors that will indeed make coming generations of the USA less prepared to compete in a world market.

[Chili]

Agree with Mike.

To add more; China's strength doesn't come from piano lessons, but from their willingness for lower living standards, low pay, environmental devastation, human rights violations and oppression. For a country coming late to the Capitalist's Table, they sure know how to play the game. What really kills me is our willingness to buy into it. $136 billion trade deficit with China and Walmart covering $35 billion of it by themselves. Americans want the most for the least and don't mind if it's made overseas. Yet, now they complain because jobs disappear and they don't have enough money to buy the new 65" HD 120hz plasma screen. If it continues, eventually americans won't have any money left in our economy, we'll be willing to work for less and sacrifice more. Production costs will be less, tax incentives will be better and manufacturing will move back to our shores. Then the rich, bloated Chinese will start to buy the cheap american crap. We will find stochiometry somewhere.

And the 36:6 piano student ratio almost fits because they have about 5x as many people as the US.

But, what does this have to do with Songwriting????

[Hakea]

Originally Posted by Chili

But, what does this have to do with Songwriting????

Maybe it was intended for the keyboard forum and went astray?

But, hey, there's a song in everything. Maybe we should write a chirpy little number for The West to collectively sing as it slowly tap dances sideways off the stage of World relevance....

Cheers,

Chris

[Frankie Rage]

To get this thread back onto a songwriting tack.. ..it may interest some forum members to know that the popular UK entertainer, George Formby advised of the work-place versatility of the Chinese Nation some 60 odd years ago when he reported that Mr Wu, having failed in the Laundry Sector had in fact embarked upon a new career as a glass refreshment technician (to use modern parlance). Subsequently, Mr Wu went on to become an Air Raid Warden and a Night Fighter Pilot in our Royal Air Force!!!

More power to Mr Wu's elbow, in my view!

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MR WU'S A WINDOW CLEANER NOW

Mr. Wu no longer has a laundry. Sad to say the business was flop.
He shouted 'what a hope' as he chewed a bar of soap
And then put up the shutters of the shop.

Said Mr. Wu, "What shall I do?" and Mr. Wu's a window cleaner now.
The laundry, it didn't pay.
Now there's no clean collars down Limehouse Way.

When he goes out working, interest he arouses
Polishing the windows with worn-out ladies blouses.
He wears a pair of Cami nicks to save his Sunday trousers
‘Cos Mr. Wu's a window cleaner now.

Now little Chinese wifie each day is getting madder,
Tearing her silk stockings, her husband makes her sadder.
All day long he wants to keep on running up the ladder
'Cos Mr. Wu's a window cleaner now.

He had his eyesight tested, a most important matter.
Through a bathroom window, a lady he peeps at her
His eyesight’s getting better but his nose is getting flatter
'Cos Mr. Wu's a window cleaner now.

Said Mr.Wu "What Shall I do?" And Mr Wu's a window cleaner now.
The laundry it didn't pay. Now there's no clean collars down Limehouse Way.

Customers he's washed for now are in bad humours.
They feel quite neglected and I've heard the rumours.
Lots of girls on winter nights go out without their garters.
'Cos Mr. Wu's a window cleaner now.